It was with great delight that we welcomed Taylors of Loughborough to St Mary’s Church Car Colston on Monday 28th November to start the process of lowering our historic bells. Following considerable preparatory work by the St Mary’s project team of Nigel Crockford, Charles Bignall and Henry Blagg to ensure the necessary Faculty permission was in place and the initial funding was underway it was very exciting to see work finally begin.
Church bells may indeed be one the most historic sounds any of us ever hear and the bells at St Mary’s have a remarkable heritage. The oldest and largest bell weighing nearly half a ton is the Tenor bell dated circa 1480 cast by Nottingham Bell Founder, Richard Mellours. This bell is noted as being ‘subject to preservation’ and is of particular significance dating from around the time of Richard III.
Two of the bells are from the Nottingham Founder George I Oldfield and date from 1633 and the fourth bell of 1872 was cast by Taylors of Loughborough. Each bell shows the Foundry mark, and each bears its own inscription.
St Mary’s bells have not been rung for over 40 years and were declared unsafe because the wooden headstocks which hold them in place were rotting. The restoration work will be undertaken over the next few weeks at the Loughborough Foundry and includes the provision of new cast iron headstocks and clappers. The bells will also be cleaned, and the three smaller bells will be carefully retuned to better harmonize with the Tenor bell which because it is listed must remain untuned.
Volunteers from Car Colston, nearby churches and villages all led by Susan Radford offered their help to assist the professionals from Taylors with the bell lowering which took place in stages over 3 days. It proved to be a real team effort with other volunteers on hand to make tea, coffee and much appreciated bacon rolls.
The fundraising appeal has been split equally between individual donors and charities. It has been very encouraging to receive many generous donations both from within the church and village community and beyond. So far roughly three quarters of the target has been raised with contributions from charities including The Southwell and Nottingham Diocese Association of Bellringers, Nottinghamshire Historic Churches Trust, The National Heritage Lottery Fund and The Benefact Trust.
The lowering of the bells forms the first phase of a project which will see improvements made in other parts of the church. The refurbishment of the Tower Room and installation of a new glass and oak doorway will create accessible space for church and community use. Pews and heating pipes will be repositioned to allow better access to the architecturally and historically important tomb of Dr Robert Thoroton (1623 – 1678) a resident of Car Colston and author of the ‘Antiquities of Nottinghamshire’ and from whom the Thoroton Society takes its name. We are working closely with the Thoroton Society regarding the enhancement of the tomb and the composition of an information and heritage board detailing the life and times of Dr Thoroton.
There are additional plans to improve flooring, seating, lighting, heating, and audio in the west end of the nave to provide enhanced space for worship, community, and an upgraded children’s area.
Prior to the bells departing on their journey to the Loughborough Foundry there was an opportunity for general viewing. It was a pleasure to welcome approximately 70 people to St Mary’s throughout the day on December 1st to inspect the bells culminating in a toast to the bells in the evening with a glass of fizz and light refreshments.
The bells are expected to return in the spring, and we look forward to the blessing and service of dedication that will mark their homecoming. We also eagerly anticipate the first ring of the bells by our newly formed and wonderfully enthusiastic team of bellringers.
It is a great privilege to see the project take shape and to witness the considerable support received from across the parish and beyond for St Mary’s church, for the bells and for bellringing. As we look ahead to 2023 it is marvellous to think that St Mary’s will be able to join other churches in the national call to ‘Ring for the King’ in honour of His Majesty’s Coronation.
4th January 2023
Gillian Bignall
Churchwarden
St Mary’s Car Colston
Notts.